Boston College’s Center for Work and Family released a study last month that tracked changes in the way American fathers view themselves and their roles at home and work. The study looked at married, educated, and employed first-time fathers of children between ages 3 and 18 months, and suggests that the concept of dads as primarily breadwinners is outmoded. Today’s dads are defining good fatherhood as a relationship involving lots of time, attention, and nurturing. The study also suggested, though, that while fathers may understand their role in these terms, their employers (and others, such as extended families) do not.
Dads Are Nurturing
Posted in Fatherhood, News.
– July 29, 2010
To hot to walk
It’s been hot and muggy here the last couple of weeks. So hot we’ve stayed indoors most evenings. However the other night we just had to get out and walk. The kids were rambunctious and the wife and I had extra pie after dinner. When I told my daughter we were going for a family walk she protested loudly. “It’s to hot outside!”
I don’t know what made me think of it but I quickly told her, “Get your squirt guns, we’re going for a walk.” She flew in to action and in no time we had three squirt guns full of water and we were heading out the door in to the muggy Missouri air.
We sprayed and played the whole walk and kept quite cool. My daughter exclaimed, “This is the best walk ever!”
One word of advice. Dad’s should pick the biggest squirt gun. They don’t run out of water as fast.
– July 17, 2010
Summer Activities for Dads and Kids
Back from a summer vacation and I found this in my email inbox. We had a great time doing fun stuff the last two weeks. I hope to continue making summertime special.
Remember how magical summer was when you were a kid? No school, long days, and running around outside for hours on end.
Bring back that summer magic and bring back your childhood with these quintessential summer activities you won’t want to pass up.
Climb Trees. Summer is the perfect time for this fun activity. Help your children climb up and then join them up in the tree for a new vantage point.
Eat Watermelon. Cut some big slices of watermelon and have a seed spitting contest. Watermelon not your thing? There are plenty of summer fruits you can enjoy. Take your kids to a farmer’s market or fair for a fun weekend outing and pick up some seasonal fruits and veggies.
Get Wet. If you’re taking your kids to the pool, don’t just sit on the sidelines – jump right in! Play Marco Polo, have a cannonball contest, or referee some races. Your kids will love having dad in the pool. Don’t have access to a pool? Get out a hose and you’ll be amazed at the fun you can have.
Organize a Game. Round up the neighborhood kids and organize a game of kickball, baseball, or even capture the flag. Let your kids run off some energy while you bring out your inner child.
Check out the Stars. Sit outside and stargaze with your kids – you can learn about the constellations together. If it’s a nice night and you have a yard, pitch a tent and sleep outside under the open sky. Or, plan an overnight camping trip somewhere nearby.
Having fun and making memories doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. This summer, bring back your favorite childhood activities and share them with your children. And, for more great ideas and activities, check out the book Handy Dad, and start a fun summer project with your kids!
via Fatherhood Resources :: Articles :: Dad Email :: Summer Activities for Dads and Kids.
Posted in Family, Fatherhood.
– July 6, 2010
Cool video camera
I bought a Flip Video Camera a couple of years ago and it’s been great to record videos of the kids. The biggest reason is because it’s quick, easy and accessible. New video camera’s are popping up all the time but this one, the Kodak Playsport, caught my attention, mostly because it’s rugged and waterproof. Which is good when your 6-year-old wants to play with it near the bathtub. It also recently won the Best Mobile Imaging Device from the Technical Imaging Press Association.
“Heads up, adrenaline junkies. The KODAK PLAYSPORT has as much appetite for adventure as you do. And it’s not afraid to get wet. This audacious little camera can plunge up to 10 ft under water and capture the entire experience in full 1080p HD. And you don’t need to worry about blurry footage when things get a little shaky. With built-in image stabilization, the KODAK PLAYSPORT will stay steady as a rock. From the waves, to the slopes, to the mud-soaked trails, this baby was made for the extremes.”
Posted in Gadgets.
– June 21, 2010
Road trip essentials
For me Hot Tamales are an essential driving snack. Nothing keeps me more alert than a mouth full of fire. And thanks to my wife I think we have enough for at least half the trip. Just don’t tell my dentist.
Posted in Family.
– June 17, 2010
Packing Lists
I’m not the most organized person in the family, I’ll admit to that. My wife is. But this week I really surprised her with starting a packing list spread sheet for our trip. I created it in Google Docs and then shared it with her so we could collaborate. Although we did go old school with a print out and wrote notes all over it (see above) during a lunch date, but since then she updated the list.
The reason I love a packing list is because there’s nothing I hate more than leaving the house in a rush (which we always seem to do) and wondering if we forget anything. I always feel unbalanced when I do that. But the times I have worked from a packing list and been methodical about it I always have a sense of peace about me when we leave. I think it’s from knowing that I did everything I could to not forget any important thing. My goal for this trip is to leave our drive way with a sense of peace. I feel more like a capable leader when I feel at peace. Plus that’s a great way to start a vacation, especially a long road trip like the one we are taking.
Posted in Family.
– June 16, 2010
Time on the farm
Note: I have to many blogs and I posted this on a different ont (gerik.com/blog) and now think it was better suited for this site since I’m trying to keep the other one for post more akin to my professional photography,
Spent memorial weekend at my in-laws farm in Iowa. It’s taken a long time for be to feel comfortable there. But each time we visit I feel more at home and I look forward to spending some peaceful time with the family and of course taking photos.
Posted in Family, Photography.
– June 14, 2010
6 planning tips for our road trip
We’re about 10 days away from an epic summer road trip. So I’ve kicked my planning in to high gear. We’re driving from Missouri to Washington and back with a six-year-old and and one-year-old. Today I thought I would share some of the plans I’m putting together to make the trip a success.
1. Leave early. Our plan is to put the kids in the car by 4 a.m. with the hope they sleep for another 3 to 4 hours then stop for breakfast and a stretch then head on for another 4 hours before stopping for lunch and the day.
2. Unless we need gas we are going to try and stop at grocery stores. We figure there is more room to move around and more to see with the kids. The snacks are cheaper and if we’re lucky the might have some good food service there too for lunch or dinner.
3. We’re renting a car. I wish we could afford a van or an RV that would make the trip pretty nice. But we are renting a full size car. We’ve made a commitment to pay down our debt so we’re not going to be buying any new cars in the future which leaves us with a 10-year-old Chevy and a a 12-year-old Ford both with high miles. I’m just not confident that either of those two cars could make the trip.
4. We have DVDs for the kids but to save some money I think we’ll go to the library and rent a few extras so they have something new to watch.
5. I hope to remember to pack some toys to help the kids burn off energy when we pull over at a rest area. I’m thinking beach balls that are easy to inflate and deflate.
6. We learned this the hard way, twice. If you take your own pillows put a very colorful pillow case on it to help you remember to take it with you when you leave the hotel. This will save you from having to buy a new pillow, or driving an hour back to the hotel to retrieve it.
Posted in Family, Fatherhood.
– June 11, 2010
Documenting Growth
For the past six years I’ve tried to get my daughter in the studio to pose with a the same camera, an old Nikon F3 I once used for work, and make her portrait. It’s been a great exercise in documenting the growth of my daughter. It’s amazing to see her change in relationship to the constant size and shape of the camera.
So when my son was born last year I knew I wanted to keep the tradition with him as well. I just didn’t know with what. I wracked my brain for what to pose him with for a long time. During that time my parents moved to town. Of course all of my ‘junk’ that I left with them arrived as well. One day we found an old surplus military jacket I use to wear a lot in high school.
We thought it would be the perfect fit – in 16 years or so. Why not photograph him growing in to it?
How are you documenting your children?
Posted in Uncategorized.
– June 10, 2010
100 Skills Men Should Know
Brains and charm are fine, but a real guy needs to know how to do real stuff.
via Types of Skills Everyone Should Know – Video – Top 100 Important Skills – Popularmechanics.com.
Posted in Manhood.
– May 24, 2010
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